Trailer brakes shake

[I Walleye]

This happened on the way home Friday. I was coming down a hill at about 35MPH, on the brakes with light pressure slowing for a stop light. All of a sudden the truck starts to shake violently (feels like very warped rotors). We come to a stop, and all is fine until I hit the next light 15 minutes later, and it shakes again. So I take it easy going home and check things out when I get home. I should add that this happened about half way home, there where stop lights/signs along the way and all was good.

Im about 99% sure it's not the truck, it stops nice and smooth at any speed and brake pressure. The trailer (Ranger trailer) has brakes on the rear axle. It all looks good with no parts hanging and no oil leaking from the hubs, but the two hubs on the brake axle have more play than what I think they should. One has about 1/8" play and the other slightly less. If you push the boat side to side you can hear the axles clunk back and forth.

My question is this, is this play enough to make it feel like there are warped rotors? If not, what would be the things to check?

[wiredog]

If the hubs are grease there should be some side play. If they are oil there should not. Check for warped rotors on the trailer. Also inspect the pads, you could have one that the lining came off. Wiredog

[REW]

John,
A loose wheel will not cause a brake shake. Even if the wheel is a bit loose, when the brake is applied, the caliper will squeeze the rotor and stop the wheel just fine.

But, of course you could have a bad or warped rotor. In this case, you would certainly get a good shake.

Time for a complete tear down and inspection.
Remove each of the hubs, check all of the wheel bearings and bearing races.
Then, check each of the rotors on the trailer to see that they are running true. If not, replace the rotors. Also, check the pads and calipers to be sure that the pads are all right and that the calipers are applying equal pressure as needed for good braking.

REW

[I Walleye]

After I got home from work today I took the wheels off, checked the pads, checked the tires, rolled everything and gave it a real good once over. Other than the hubs being looser than what I think they should be everything at the wheels looked/felt fine. The oil looked good, both axles are full and no leaks.

I'm thinking bummer, I was hoping to see something wrong.

I go up front to check the brake fluid and am messing around with the coupler and I see that one of the bolts that lets it all slide nice and smooth is loose, I mean SCARY loose. there where about 2 threads holding the nut on.

I took it all apart, cleaned it up and put it back together nice and tight.

I will see tomorrow if that was the problem.

[Hot Runr Guy]

I Walleye,
How level is your trailer, when hooked-up to your rig? If it's nose-down, I wonder if the back (brake) axle is light, and the tires are locking up on you?????

HRG

[I Walleye]

It sits real level when going down the road. I thought about the lock up thing too but since it has only happened on one particular day and nothing has changed I am thinking something broke or came loose. Hopefully the bolt/pin was it.

[mikebertin]

IW- I'm confused about your coupler situation. You say you have bolts that let it slide? Most Ranger trailers have UFP couplers (boxed type). I make a hitch cap to prevent accidental detachment should these couplers fail. Worth checking out. See my ad under trailer accessories.

[I Walleye]

Threre are two bolts about 6-10" back from the coupling that go thru the sides. They are collared and sleeved to allow the hitch to slide back into the master cylinder to apply the brakes. I am leaving on a test drive now, I hope that was it.

[I Walleye]

The bolts also have grease zerks in them and I gave them each a shot of grease. The test drive went great with no problems and the brakes now work smoother than before. So either I fixed it or it was a crazy gremlin problem that was driving me crazy. I am going with the loose coupler bolt not allowing the mechanism to slide freely causing chatter.

[REW]

I,
You might consider getting some metal locking nuts, that have an oblong shape and lock on the bolt as you put it on the bolt.
That way, no matter where you have the nut on the bolt, it will be locked up.

REW